The Nigerian Senate, in a decisive move to tackle the escalating kidnapping crisis, has advanced amendments to the 2022 Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act. The new provisions, approved on Wednesday, extend the death penalty to all individuals involved in kidnapping, categorising perpetrators, financiers, informants, logistics suppliers, harbourers, transporters, and anyone knowingly aiding criminal abductions as terrorists. Sponsored by Senate Leader Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, the bill seeks to classify kidnapping, hostage-taking, and associated crimes as acts of terrorism, granting security agencies enhanced powers to trace illicit financial flows, dismantle logistics networks, and conduct intelligence-driven counter-terrorism operations.

During the plenary session presided over by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, the amendment received firm bipartisan support. The bill was subsequently referred to the committees on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters, National Security and Intelligence, and Interior, which are tasked with conducting a public hearing and submitting their report within two weeks.

Senator Bamidele emphasised that kidnapping in Nigeria has evolved into "coordinated, commercialised and militarised violence," exhibiting characteristics akin to terrorism in organisation and brutality. He highlighted the societal impact, including families impoverished by ransom payments, communities paralysed by fear, and entire regions destabilised by rampant abductions. He clarified that the amendment specifically targets violent offenders and their networks, assuring that prosecutions would strictly adhere to constitutional safeguards.

Support for the bill came from several senators. Senator Adams Oshiomhole, Chairman of the Committee on Interior, strongly backed the death penalty for convicted terrorists, asserting the ineffectiveness of existing de-radicalisation programs: "Enough is enough. If you are convicted for terrorism, the penalty should be death."Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, Chair of the South-East Development Commission Committee, emphasised the suffering inflicted by kidnappers, citing cases of rape, widowhood, and loss of breadwinners, insisting that all involved must face severe consequences. Senator Victor Umeh, Chairman of the Committee on National Population and NIMC, raised concerns about financial institutions facilitating ransom payments, demanding urgent scrutiny and explicit sanctions for complicit banks and individuals. Minority Leader Senator Abba Moro also supported the amendment, deeming it crucial for restoring internal security and advocating capital punishment for kidnappers.

Senator Bamidele reiterated that the amendment would empower security agencies to trace and confiscate assets linked to kidnapping, disrupt ransom-funding channels, enhance inter-agency coordination, and streamline pre-trial processes, declaring it a "war on the Nigerian people."

In a related development, the Senate launched an investigation into the Safe School Initiative (SSI), addressing long-standing concerns over billions of naira and millions of dollars allocated for school security. The inquiry was prompted by persistent attacks, mass abductions, and the initiative's failure to protect Nigerian schoolchildren. Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, chairman of the 18-member ad hoc committee, pledged a thorough investigation to expose gaps in funding, implementation, security deployment, and inter-agency coordination. He cited alarming statistics, including over 1,680 schoolchildren kidnapped and 180 schools attacked since 2014, describing the assault on educational institutions as "unacceptable."

Meanwhile, Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun reaffirmed his commitment to strengthening the Nigeria Police Force. Speaking at the unveiling of the mascot logo for the 15th Nigeria Police Games in Asaba, the IGP stated that the police force under his leadership is evolving into a disciplined, fit, focused, and community-centred organisation. He highlighted sports as a powerful tool for shaping the force, with the Games serving as a symbol of unity and excellence. Egbetokun expressed his administration's determination to elevate the force’s sporting legacy and raise its standards, appreciating Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori for hosting the 2026 Games and expressing confidence in Asaba’s ability to deliver a fitting event.